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Get through the first season and you'll be hooked by the end of the 2nd season

The 'Bones' TV drama started in 2005. So far 5 seasons have aired in the UK. Season 6 is due to show in the USA this autumn, usually there is a slight delay before it is aired in the UK.

The series are based on books by Kathy Reichs (including Bare Bones and Grave Secrets). As well as writing the novels, Kathy Reichs is also involved in writing and producing the TV programme. I say that Bones is based on the books, in my opinion, very loosely based.

The story follows a FBI agent and a Forensic Anthropologist in solving murders.

The Forensic Anthropologist, Dr Temperence Brennan (Emily Deschanel), works at the Jeffersonian museum in Washington DC. With a very clean and clinical, high tech lab, a small team of scientists help the FBI solve murders and other crimes.

FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth (David Boreanez) provides the good looking, charming character alongside Dr Brennan's cold, socially inept character. His affectionate nickname for the good Dr is 'Bones'.

Other reviews have compared this to CSI - i don't think there are many similarities. Bones is actually quite funny. The filming is lighter than CSI, there is much more travel to other spots of the USA and a lot more action outside. Bones follows the relationships of the scientists, FBI agents and other characters in a way that CSI doesn't. (I hasten to add that i am a fan of CSI and Bones).

There is a lawyer, Caroline Julian (Patricia Belcher) who delivers an excellent show whenever she appears (rarely, unfortunately). She has some great looks which she shoots at the pair of them, and she is always rooting for Bones and Booth to get together - which anyone watching also really wants to happen!

There is a great sexual tension between Bones and Booth. In Season 5 it all gets a bit serious. I don't want to give anything away, but it came very close, edge of your seat close.

The scientists in the lab are like a family. There's a beautiful artist, a mega rich bug expert, later on there's a psychiatrist who resembles Doogie Howser! Also, there is young Zach, who is a wanna be Dr Brennan. However, you have to watch the first 4 series to actually find out that there is more to Zach than meets the eye!! (Don't want to give away any spoilers)

Bones is completely socially inept. She is hyper intelligent, very fit, can floor men double her size, speak several languages and is top of her game at a young age. She has a tragic history, a very dysfunctional family and doesn't do holidays.

Booth was a sniper, he now works for the FBI, he has a son, Parker and he really, really loves Bones.

It is really worth buying the DVD Box Set. Each episode is about 40 minutes. It is shown on Sky over here in the UK. It is repeated, but if you want to see the first 5 seasons from scratch, get the DVD. There are some good offers on Amazon for Seasons 1-4, which is a good place to start. Either that or add it as a series to your LoveFilm list!

I would say that Season 2 onwards are the best. The first season is good, but not great, get to season 2 and you'll be hooked.

Also, read the books. They are darker, moodier and totally different from the series.

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Overall, an underrated and good programme

Bones is an American crime drama television series, and there are a fair few of them about, that first premiered on American screens in 2005 and still continues to now due to it's undoubted popularity. To be honest with you it does sit in the shadows of more well known series like CSI but is still pretty good. The show as with CSI focuses on the forensics department and the science behind it in order to solve crimes.

Each episode will concentrate on a specific FBI case that concerns mysteries surrounding human remains. These remains are bought in by Special Agent Seeley Booth to the forensic team of Dr. Temperance 'Bones' Brennan.

The show actually begins in the year 2005 tells the stories of a number of case files. Each is different which makes things interesting each week. By using forensic science which is quite clever they can ascertain the cause of death and get much needed evidence to solve each case. Although some are trickier than others as you can imagine.

There is a small element of comedy mixed in with the drama as the lives and relationships of the main characters are explored in more detail as the series progresses. As with any series as you know more about a character you warm to them more and the actors in this show do a great job of making things seem convincing and believable.

Underneath the moments of dark comedy there is the underlying serious business of finding the murderer of the victims on their table. Some viewers might find it a bit disturbing but I think if you like CSI then you will love this programme too.

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Booth + Bones the best partnership in crime!

A highly underrated tv show from the states based upon the writing of Kathy Reichs. It shows the combination of the FBI "Booth - played by David Boreanaz' and a forensic anthropologist (Temperance Brennan 'Bones' played by Emily Deschanel)

Each episode starts with a body being found, with Booth and Bones working together with the team of scientists working at the Jeffersonian institute. Although the central story of the individual episode is based upon solving the case. The appeal to most is the humerous and emotional interactions between the characters.

The science within the program is accurate and well positioned within the show, using the phrases and words in a way in which the general population can understand while still explaining the situations effectively.

Brennan and booth share a deep bond within the program with each progressive season seeing them get closer together, the characters are well played and the off screen chemistry between Emily and David is highy apparent within the program.

One of, if not the best crime dramas on the TV today. I have to confess the interplay between the characters is apparently quite hard to pick up if you havent watched it before as I have tried to introduce my girlfriend to the program.

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Recommended!

For absolutely ages my brother and his wife have been telling me that I have to start watching bones... so when I saw season 1 on offer at Asda about a month ago, I bought it.... and I am now hooked. I have watched season 1 and 2, and plan to buy season 3 this weekend.

Bones is different, funny, gory, intense, witty, dramatic, and a show I am now addicted to. It ticked all the boxes for me: with brilliant characters and character development over the series, plot twists that you really aren't expecting and great stories.

Bones is a crime drama about a forensic anthropologist (Temerance Brennan or "Bones") and her crime solving partner FBI special agent Seely Booth ("Booth"). The show is based on the booked by Kathy Reiches.

Bones and Booth do their crime solving at the Jeffersonian Institute in Washington DC, they solve their crimes by Bones and her team examining the remains (bones) of the victim and establishing how, when and where they died - it is all very clever.

I think the beginning of Bones is similar to the beginning of each House M.D episode, with us discovering the body. We then follow Bones and Booth as they investigate the case. It isn't all about the case through, through the series we learn more about each of the characters and their relationships develop with one another.

So who is who?!?

Temperance Brennan is played by Emily Deschanel and is known in the show as "Bones". Bones is very very clever, and is an expert at examining bones. She is also a best selling author, which provides some great interaction between her and the others and this try to figure out which characters are them. She is pretty socially unaware, and uncomfortable in social situation, being much happier in her lab. She has a complicated relationship with her brother, and her parents went missing when she was young. It has taken me a little while to warm to Bones, but I really like the character now, and I think the reason they have her a little hard to relate to in the first season is because this is how Bones is meant to be, it fits her character that the audience feel the same as strangers meeting her for the first time. But once they get to know her, like Angela and Booth we get to really like her.

Seeley Booth is played by David Boreanaz, of Angel fame. Booths is a strong, handsome, FBI agent. He is charming and instantly likable, he is friendly and compassionate in his friendship with Bones - their relationship is very interesting and enjoyable to watch. He cares dearly for these close to him and looks out for them. Although being an ex army sniper, he can be tough when it is needed.

Angela Montenegro is played by Michaela Conlin, Angela is an artist and Bones' best friend. Her job sees her sketch the victims as well as produces 3-D holograms of how the death occurred. Angela is very happy, bubbly and likable, She is the one who finds it hardest to be clinical about her work, and often struggles with the deaths and murders that they are investigating.

Jack Hodgins is played by T.J Thyne, who is very odd but very lovable. Hodgins is a bit of a womaniser, whose expertise is in identifying spores and minerals. We learn early on that his family is very wealthy but he wants to keep it to himself and only Booth and Angela know.

Camille Jaroyan is played by Tamara Taylor, and she runs the Forensic Division. Her and Booth have a romantic past, which is fun to watch with Bones and Booth when she first comes into the series. She is very different to Bones and this along with her relationship with Booth leads to tension between the two in the work place.

Zack Addy is played by Eric Millegan. A geeky assistant to Bones, makes the show quite light-hearted and funny. Very similar to Bones, he is a graduate who is learning from her.

Bones is very different to any other show out their but has the wit and charm of many hit American show that have had success here in the UK. I would highly recommend it as essential viewing! Great Great Show.

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Crime series with a lot of inteligent humor.

Best series on TV! I am totally hooked since the beginning and so is my husband which is a very difficult thing indeed.The series follows FBI agent Seeley Booth and anthropologist Temperance (Bones) Brennan and her team from "The Jeffersonnian" solving usually cases where there are bodies that are difficult to identify or difficult to find the cause of death.So far nothing too unusual from other TV series but the characters chemistry is irresistible and the always present witty and intelligent humor make this series stand out from the competition. Sometimes cute as well with the main character of "Temperance Brennan" saying "I don't know the meaning of that" for the most simple phrases."Bones" is currently on its 4th season and I can say it has not lost any of its charm and appeal. I am always looking forward to next episode and I hope many more seasons will come.

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Get watching!

This is without my favourite series on TV at the moment, and in a genre in which it has many competitors (the various CSIs and Law and Orders, Criminal Minds etc etc), it sits imperiously above all of them. The key to its success is the superb storylines which are backed up by excellent characterisation. The relationship between forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan (Emily Deschanel) and FBI agent Seely Booth (David Boreanaz), who work together at solving crimes, is at the centre of everything that transpires in the episodes, and it is to the producers' credit that up to now (and we are now in the fourth series), they have resisted the temptation to allow them to become an item, perhaps mindful of the many series which have given in to that temptation and have suffered as a consequence ('Moonlighting' is the most obvious one which springs to mind) However these two are backed up by an outstanding supporting cast of actors and actresses, each with their own well-developed and contrasting traits. Indeed it seems that almost every new character is a success - in the current series they have experimented with having a different new intern for Brennan in almost every episode, although one or two have returned for a second episode, and each has been brilliant.

Of course as it deals with dead bodies (some of them very dead!), it is not for the squeamish, but if you have no problem with that, I guarantee that you will love this series - it really is a delight.

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if science and moonlighting is your thing tune in

a show of both forensic insight and attractive characters, while sometimes confusing and over scientific on the whole it is a show ahead of its time taking you in to the real life adventures of top forensic anthapologist kathy reichs. While the characters differ strongly from the characters in the book, the show offers a human aspect among the science between all of the main characters. While bruce willis and cybil shepherd are not present in this show the relationship between the two leads beautifully played by the gorgeous david boreanaz and emily deschanel is often compared to moonlighting. but worry not the show does not contain the mush of that show and the science keeps the story alive. other winning factors for this show would be the supporting actors including stephen fry in series two. overall the show is unique in its balance of science and personal story lines and very enjoyable.

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a greta show, which is very character driven

Ok i know what your thinking, a show to do with bones, dead bodies and rotting corpses, this isn't a show for me. However you'd be wrong, i was a skeptic that this show would be either too dull or too graphic for my liking. However there is just so much more to the storylines and the characters that solving crimes.

Dr.Temerperance Brennan, a forensic anthropologist teams up with seeley Booth(David Boreanaz), to deal murderers, thugs and crime lords a jail sentence for crimes that they think they've gotten away with.

The characters have a backstory that doesn't really fit their current jobs, but in that way it adds to the show, and really makes you feel for the characters, and actually informs you at the same time, why they are like they are.

Selley Booth, the tough FBI agent, is a former sniper, trying to make amends for the 50 people he's killed. Temerperance Brennan, is an orphan, who believes that her parents were killed at christmas time when they never returned from their chopping trip. She also has an older brother call Russ, who abandoned her when she was 15.

Supporting characters include Dr. Jack Hodgins, a paranoid conspiracy theorist.Angela Monetenegro, and artist with the uncanny ability to not only be extremely acurate when it comes to facial recognition, but also a scientific wiz, who hsa devloped her own piece of equipment called the Angelator, which can render in real time a persons face, and also show how an injury might of been inflicted.Dr. Zack Addy, a student working under forensic anthropologist Dr.Brennan, who hopes to become a fully fledged forensic anthropologist.

They all work alongside Dr.Brennan in the Jeffersonian Institute, helping her to indentify who these people were and why they were killed, and also finding out who the killer was.

This is a great show for anyone who just really enjoys character engagement and interaction, and basically enjoys a good group of people working together to solves crimes.

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Definately worth a watch

Want to spend the night in with a good TV show? Then choose Bones for something different.It's witty, gory and a show you'll soon fall in love with.

What it's about:The show is about forensic anthropolgist Temperance Brennan - a character who's based on real life anthropologist Kathy Reichs - she works with FBI agent Seely Booth to solve some pretty gruesome murders using this facinating science.

The cast:Temperance Brennan is played by Emily Deschanel, Brennan know's little about pop culture or what's socially acceptale but she's a brilliant scientist who writes novels on the side. She's based on the same character in Reich's novels which is loosely based on Reichs herself.

Seely Booth is played by David Boreanaz (of Buffy and Angel fame), he's a quirky but tough FBI agent and former army ranger who works with Brennan to solve murders.

Jack Hodgins is the 'bug guy' played by T.J. Thyne, he analyses particles and bugs to help contribute to finding the killer, he's also everyone's boss but refuses to let his status be known as he doesn't want to be affiliated with his families wealth.

Angela Montenegro is played by Michaela Conlin, she's an artist who draws the victims from their bones. Her father is Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top and she almost married Hodgins.

Zack Addy played by Eric Milligan is of similar intelligence to Brennan and her grad student. He lives with Hodgins and identifies anomolies on the bones to help with the investigations.

Cam Saroyan played by Tamara Taylor is the boss of everyone working in the lab at the Jeffersonian, she's a former New York cop and a coroner and previously had a relationship with Booth.

Why you should watch:The show is different to most cop shows, there's dark humour mixed in with romance and friendship whilst the core story is solving the crime using an approach that hasn't really been seen in TV shows before as it concentrates more on the science than the FBI.

It's shown mainly on Sky1 in the UK and sadly hasn't yet been picked up by a terrestrial channel but it can probably be found online if that's your thing.

Either way, well worth a watch and you don't really need to follow the series from episode 1 to pick up what's going on as each episode can more or less stand on its own.

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A good show worth watching

Having read the books that this show is based on, i was very excited about this show and i wasn't disappointed. It is very different from the books but thats what makes the show work. It is centred around anthropologist Dr Temperance Brennan (Bones) and her team of 'squints' who work at the Jeffersonian who help solve crimes using peoples bones and little else with the help of FBI agent Seeley Booth. What makes this show special is the on screen chemistry between all the stars, especially the two leads. It has a good mix of both drama and comedy which will have the viewer hooked right from the beginning. The gruesome and unusual ways in which bones are used to identify victims and their killers will have any avid fan fascinated and will keep viewers guessing as to who commited the crime.Plus the on screen relationships and the longing for Bones and Booth to get together will leave you wanting more.

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Sky One brings us yet another superb US drama show!

My mum was watching this one day and suggested that I would like it as she thought it would be 'my sort of thing'. She was definitely right. The first episode I watched and I was hooked. The show has it all, fantastic characters and great plots with twists and turns all the way.

Bones is a crime drama programme based on the books written by author Kathy Reichs. It is produced by Josephson Entertainment, 20th Century Fox Television and Far Field Productions. It is set at the Jeffersonian Institute in Washington DC, despite the majority of the filming in Los Angeles. Temperance Brennan works closely with Bureau agent Booth to solve crimes. Brennan examines human remains with the help of others at the Jeffersonian.

At the start of each show, you begin with finding out what has happened and who is dead. This is followed by the best theme tune (by the Crystal Method). The tone really sets the scene. You then watch the case solved with a mixture of Bones pure genius and Booth's gentle powers of persuasion. As well as the investigations of murders, throughout the series you learn about the key characters past and enjoy the relationships they develop (particularly with one another).

In the UK, Bones is shown on Sky One, Thursdays at 9pm. I loved the double episode at the premiere of season 4 that was set in London. Definitely one of my favourites to date.

Characters

Temperance Brennan - Emily Deschanel: Brennan knows absolutely everything you possibly could about bones. Hence, why that is her nickname to those that she works with. Brennan is a forensic anthropologist who works with human remains to solve cases. Aswell as her job, she is a best-selling author. Temperance is socially ill at ease with the majority of people she speaks to, however communicates well with Booth and Angela. She was left by her parents with her brother Russ and this may begin to explain why she is socially hopeless. Her father does appear in the series and this makes very interesting viewing. She has an objective and factual approach to both her work and life itself. I love Bones. When you first watch the show, she takes a while to warm to, but once you have, you want to protect her. And you also want to kick her, so she makes her move on Booth.

Seeley Booth - David Boreanaz: The first actor cast for Bones was Booth. He is your typically alpha male FBI agent. He was formally an Army sniper, hence his fantastic shot. He is Bones partner/liaison and also the complete opposite to her. He is friendly and has a more compassionate approach to his work than Brennan. He is ambitious and easy to approach. I love the character of Booth. He clearly cares for all of those close to him, and is constantly looking out for them. In one episode, he 'dies' and everyone is distraught. I was distraught! I cannot imagine the programme without him. My comment for Brennan stands for Booth also; I want him to realise they would be the perfect couple.

Angela Montenegro - Michaela Conlin: Angela's job, although not regarded as the most important, creates lots of breakthroughs for many of the cases they have to solve. Her job is a forensic artist and as well as sketches she produces 3-D holograms. She is also Temperance's best friend and for a period dates Hodgins. Her personality is bubbly, considerate and approachable. I really adore her character as you can definitely relate to her. She actually really reminds me of my best friend. I hope that her and Hodgins reunite their connection, they are so sweet together.

Jack Hodgins - T.J Thyne: The most odd, yet lovable person. His area of expertise is spores and minerals; he is an entomologist. He comes from a 'silver spoon' background, although he 100% does not show this. In fact, at first he goes out of his way for people not to find out. For a time in the third series he dates Angela and they make the best couple. He is extremely sensitive and very upset when he finds out Zack's secret.

Camille Jaroyan - Tamara Taylor: She is the boss of the Forensic Division. Prior to joining the Jeffersonian, she was romantically involved with Agent Booth. She has a very different working method to Brennan, and this led to tension within the group at the beginning. They now tend to get on a little more, and respect one another ways of working, as they both get the results. She is probably my least favourite character, although I have warmed to her more recently.

Lance Sweets - John Francis Daley: Sweets is the most recent character thrown into the mix. He is a profiler and psychologist much needed by Booth and Brennan. He started out in the odd episode and is now in the show full time after being a massive hit with the audience. He looks very young for his age, causing various people to be rude to him, and not listen to his expertise. His enthusiasm for the most boring work makes him very endearing to the people watching. I really like Sweets and think he is a welcome addition to the cast, filling part of the gap that Zack leaves.

Daniel Goodman - Jonathan Adams: Daniel was head of the Jeffersonian. We are led to believe that he is on a sabbatical as he has not had a proper exit, yet not featured in the past the first series. He is very compassionate and family orientated. He does everything very 'by the book' causing friction between him and Hodgins on occasions. I liked him, however he hasn't been that greatly missed since his departure. I think it would be nice for him to return, but I won't shed any tears if he doesn't.

Zack Addy - Eric Millegan: What a hole this guy has left. When he was in the show, you didn't think of him as being a particularly significant character, although since he's been gone, there does seem to be a slight void. Zack was Brennan's graduate who followed her around and learnt from her. He is also so similar to her in personality. Socially incapable and unable to interact with others, he tries his hardest to be helpful. I am still gutted, the way in which he goes out of the show and am hoping that someday, somehow he returns!

Every time the series ends, I look forward to the next one. When it's not on telly, it genuinely leaves a gap in my viewing. It's so different to other shows that are out there. I particularly love the relationship that has developed between Brennan and Booth. I'm now just waiting for them to get their acts together and realise they are perfect for one another! I think the only negative thing that I could say, is that sometimes, some of the terms that they use, I totally do not know what they mean, so I have to look them up, but generally they explain them.

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An unmissable show

One of my favourite TV series is Bones, a series made in the US and loosely based on the books of forensic anthropologist and novelist Kathy Reichs.

The main character is Doctor Temperence Brennan, (played by Emily Deschanel) who is a forensic anthropologist working at the Jeffersonian Institution in Washington, and because of her ability to decipher the clues left on bones, she is regularly paired up with FBI agent Seeley Booth, (played by David Boreanaz) to solve the crimes that come their way.

We get to know and love the rest of Temperence's team at the Jeffersonian, and the quirky characters all add a great deal to the programme.

Temperence usually known as Tempe heads the team that consists of:

Angela Montenegro,(played by Michaela Conlin) a forensic artist, who is able to reconstruct faces from skulls, and has developed a holographic imager which is used to great effect to recontruct crime scenes,

Dr Jack Hodgins(played by T.J. Thyne) is as he calls himself the Jeffersonian's bug and slime guy. He analyses the minute particles that can be found at a crime scene, being able to identify the microbes or microscopic amounts of substances that give the scientists clues that help them solve the crimes. He is also an avid conspiracy theorist.

Dr Zack Addy joined the team as Dr Brennan's graduate student, He was a thorough and conscientious scientist, devising and conducting experiments to prove theories about the crimes. He was a valued member of the team, and great friends with Hodgins, but he has had to be removed from his post, (I won't spoil the plot by telling you why) and in the later series is replaced by various graduate students, all of whom seem to bring home to the rest of the team how much they miss Zack.

In the early series the lab director and Tempe's boss was Dr Daniel Goodman (Jonathan Adams) but in the later series he is replaced by Dr Camille Saroyan (Tamara Taylor)

Besides the fasinating ways that the team solve the crimes that are brought to them, the dynamics between the team makes for enjoyable viewing. There is often dark humour, frequently derived from the quirky nature of the characters, and this is one of the things about this programme that I enjoy the most. Tempe Brennan, is first and foremost a scientist, and to hear her take on such things as romance and relationships is like a breath of fresh air, and often hilariously funny as she sees things that most people view as normal behaviour from the point of view of an anthropologist.

Recently a new character has been added to the mix, Dr Lance Sweets (John Francis Daley) a doctor with many degrees in a field that Tempe isn't quite sure is science, psychology. He is studying the partners after various traumas, and often helps out with psychological profiling of the criminals.

Tempe and Booth have a chemistry that is unmistakable, and it is one of those relationships that keeps everyone guessing, they are so different, and yet hold an obvious attraction for each other. Will they ever become more than partners? That is one of the questions I think all the fans of Bones would love to see resolved, and yet it is the not knowing that keeps us watching.

I have enjoyed seeing the development of the characters through the series, and I like the way that each episode has its own story, and yet there are threads running through all the episodes that tie them together and make the next episode unmissable.

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A forensic anthropologist and her team work alongisde a hot shot FBI agent to solve grisly crimes

Bones is an American science/drama show somewhat similar to CSI, in that its mainly about forensics, being based on the novels written by Kathy Reichs, who is herself a forensic anthropologist. The twist with this show is that the main character is a lady called doctor Temperance Brennan (played by Emily Deschanel), a forensic anthropologist, who, in her spare time, writes fictitious novels about a character called Kathy Reichs, ie its the opposite of real life, whereby Kathy Reichs' novels are about the fictitious character Temperance Brennan.

Back to the show and every episode involves Temperance and her team analysing the bones or often full skeletons, that are discovered, as Temperance is a specialist in identifying people from even the smallest, most unrecognisable remains, such as severely burned or scarred remains and using these remains to also help identify how the person died, as well as clues to who may have been involved in the death.

Temperance is employed by the Jeffersonian institute in Washington, where she has a team of forensics experts to help her out, including her best friend Angela Montenegro (played by Michaela Conlin), who specialises in what I'd say is humanising the victims they find. She has a fancy projector type machine which allows her to show images of what the person looked like before they died. She represents the more emotional side of the story, as most episodes act as a story of one person, or person(s) remains being found and the team having to figure out who it was and what happened to them, by whom.

As well as Angela, there's also doctor Jack Hodgins (played by T.J. Thyne), a conspiracy theorist who sometimes rocks the boat a bit by bringing forward quite 'far out' suggestions and he isn't always keen on following his bosses orders at times. The other main member of the team (at least for the first few series) is doctor Zack Addy (played by Eric Millegan), a rather geeky (but cute!) young man who is very keen to get as much experience as he can and who has quite a mathematical mind but finds social things a bit more difficult.

Of course I can't not mention the other main character who appears in this show, who works closely with Temperance Brennan and that is FBI special agent Seeley Booth (played by David Boreanaz, who'll be better known as Angel from Buffy The Vampire Slayer, who also had his own spin off show called Angel). At the start of the first series, we see Temperance being teamed up with Seeley to help the FBI solve a crime and they stay a pretty close team, with Seeley appreciating her (and her teams) ability to identify even the smallest and most indistinguishable remains and Temperance (I think!) appreciating Seeleys ability to fast talk and to protect her against some of the worst criminals, with Seeley having the backing of the FBI and able to carry around a gun, unlike Temperance who applied for one but was turned down, so they work together as partners to help each other out.

This is one of my favourite TV shows, along with Law & Order SVU and 24 and lately (well since we got Sky1 back on Virgin Media, which is the channel that shows this program) ive been trying to catch up with it. I had given up watching it after losing Sky1, so when it came back I realised I had alot of catching up to do, anyway I've seen quite a few episodes now and I feel I know a fair bit about it. There have been 3 full seasons shown on cable so far, with the first 10 episodes of season 4 been shown, although its taking a break until around about March next year, as far as showing new episodes is concerned. Which is great for me, that gives me time to catch up with the rest of season 2 that I haven't seen, as well as all of season 3 and the first few episodes of season 4, wish me luck catching up with all of that by next March! lol

Anyway back to the show and what I particularly like about it is the character development. All of the main characters, including Temperance, Hodgins, Angela, Zack and even Seeley, their all quite complicated characters who show their weaker sides at times and you do feel quite close to them, as a viewer, if you get sucked into the world of Bones. As the series/seasons continue, we learn a little more about each of the characters, their backgrounds, their weaknesses and worries and we see their reactions to some of the situations that are uncovered.

Temperance herself is, rather like Zack, quite socially-challenged and in the start Seeley would crack jokes relating to popular culture catchphrases/sayings, or for example one time he compared the two of them to Scully and Mulder from X Files and Temperance simply said 'I don't understand', as she is so engrossed in her work that she doesn't have much knowledge about popular TV shows, actors or singers and so on. She seems quite cold and possibly even uncaring at first but as the show continues, we see her more vulnerable side, as with the others and indeed we learn more about her troubled past and family problems, which plays quite a big part in the later seasons of the show (seasons two and three).

Of course this isn't for the particularly squeamish, with some pretty gory crime scenes being shown, there is blood and guts and, of course, bones and skeletons, including some pretty grisly burned and scarred skeletons/bones clearly shown in episodes, as well as autopsy scenes. Some episodes aren't too bad but others can be particularly grisly and I think as the show has continued, for me the second season seems to have more gory/grisly footage than the first season had. There is also some violence as well, so the 15 rating the DVD boxsets have, seems about right to me.

I particularly enjoy this show because of the characters, Temperance I find is a particularly interesting character, with her quite cold exterior but the more you find out about her, the more interesting she gets and also Angela as Temperances best friend, who tries to get Temperance to get out and enjoy herself more and such like, plus Zack is a quite a sweet character too. Others like Seeley of course, anyone who was a fan of Angel from Buffy may well be keen on this in as much as the actor David still plays quite a charming character, although im not so bothered by him personally (I think the actor is a bit too smug for me but what do I know? each to their own).

There are some particularly touching episodes, one that sticks in my mind involved Angela helping a young girl who was dying of cancer, painting images of Paris, where the girl dreamed of going but couldn't, being terminally ill and Angela was able to project these images in the hospital room, to help her feel as if she really was in Paris, which was quite touching (I think thats what happened, I apologise if this is a bit off but thats what I remember anyway). Angela is quite an emotional character and she found this quite touching too.

There is quite a good amount of action in this show too, its not all science or gore but there are some good car chase scenes and action/drama elements too, in one episode Temperance and Hodgins find themselves buried underground in a car (ie buried alive) and everyone else has to find their whereabouts and soon before they end up using all the available oxygen, so it is quite suspenseful at times too.

The more of this show I watch, the better it gets, it seems, with more intricate stories and with more involvement with the characters.

I have seen a couple of season four episodes, before realising I really needed to catch up with seasons two and three before I could make full sense of season four (because I missed out on those series due to not having access to Sky1 for over a year and a half) and I know that there are some changes on the way, season four is quite a bit different to where I left the show in season two, though I wouldn't like to give away too much but so far its been worth catching up with the show, I can say that much.

I really enjoy this show for the characters and the stories. The writing seems pretty good, there aren't many (if any) weak stories and there's a good mix of action/drama/suspense and science or forensic science. There is also some humour in the show as well, at times it might make you laugh a bit, which proves there is a more light hearted side to the show as well, this is often between Temperance and Seeley (or Brennan and Booth, as their more often referred to), although it can be between Angela and Zack and Angela and Temperance at times too.

For anyone who enjoys shows such as CSI, you should give this show a try. Its currently being shown on Sky1 (and Sky2 sometimes for repeats I think) on Thursdays at 10pm, with repeats of the first few season 4 episodes being shown and new episodes of season 4 should be broadcast again around about next March.

If you don't have Sky, then you can still watch the show by buying the DVD boxsets, I managed to buy the season 2 DVD boxset from Zavvi for only £15.99 including free postage, which I thought was really quite good, especially as it originally retailed for £39.99, so check that out (I only just got that boxset a couple of days ago). The reason for the drop in price is probably because the season 3 boxset has just been released late last month and that retails at around about £30 or just under that. I'm planning to treat myself to that boxset too for around Christmas time with a voucher im waiting to get through email, so I hope I get that soon to have it for Christmas toime... there are around 21 episodes per season and the boxsets also feature not lots but a few bonus features, such as some selected episodes have commentaries and a couple of featurettes, plus the usual scene selection options and that sort of thing.

So, all in all, I find this a really interesting and at times fairly exciting show, with curious characters and good stories, so I would definitely recommend it. Give it a shot, it may sound a bit cliched but it really is quite a good show...

I hope this review has been helpful to you and thanks for reading it. Thanks for all r/r/c's and be aware that this review is posted both on DooYoo and Ciao UK under my name, which is the same on both sites, IzzyS.

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Very well made series

A few years ago, I was a big fan of author Kathy Reichs and the heroine of her books, forensic anthropologist Dr Temperance Brennan. Other authors took over for a while and although the emergence of 'Bones', a TV show based on her novels and produced by her was an instant success, it seemed to pass me by. Not so my wife. She has watched every episode of the first 3 series and is riveted to the fourth series, currently showing on Sky1.

As a result, I have started watching the 1st season of Bones, and I find I am impressed by it. The setup of the episodes is of a very similar ilk to shows such as CSI or NCIS, etc, in that there is a murder or mystery to solve, and 'Tempe' as everyone calls her is thrown into action with her team of researchers and FBI partner.

Emily Deschanel plays Tempe, and the character is very much based on the findings of facts rather than conjecture, and as a result is quite insensitive. This is used to inject a little comedy into the proceedings, especially when combined with the street savvy, quick talking FBI agent Seeley Boothe, her partner, played by David Boreanaz (better known as Angel from the Buffy series and spinoffs).

The remainder of the cast do support very well, and her team of Angela, Zach and Hodgens combine very well to firstly solve the cases, but also provide comedy value with their bickering and stereotypical attitudes. The focus is very much on the forensic attention they pay to the finding of bones and other human remains, hence the title of the series, and the plots are very well constructed.

I don't enjoy this series as much as other such series - I find CSI more believable and the plots seems to be more intricate and believable, but I still find it of top quality and enjoy watching it. No doubt as soon as I have finished season 1 I will continue with the 2nd and 3rd so as to catch up with my wife. She is keen for me to do so, as she likes talking about the plots and subplots.

Bones is available on DVD, from series 1 to 3. Expect to pay full retail price for them, in the region of £40, but have a search of the internet for cheaper deals, especially with Christmas approaching.

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Interesting, informative and entertaining!

I have watched Bones from the very first episode and think it is fantastic. Ioriginally started watching because of the actor David Boreanaz who is thetype of guy fantasies are made for. The show is now in it's fourth season andit just gets better and better. I wouldn't watch it while you are eating your teabecause some of the bodies and crime scenes can be a bit gruesome. I don'tusually like crime investigation shows but this is different because of theanthropological aspect. All the characters are three dimensional and the shownot only shows their working relationships but their personal ones too. Thechemistry between two male and female leads is electric I just hope it isn'truined by them getting together. So far I don't think there has been one badepisode and the finale of season three was a real shocker! If you haven'tstarted already you really should watch this show.